Not only Amazon / Google / Apple, 2021 summer smart speaker attention model
When I wake up in the morning, I open the curtains without getting out of bed, prepare hot coffee, and control lighting and air conditioning without leaving my desk while working from home. The "smart speaker" is the "command tower" that realizes such a futuristic life. When smart speakers were just around the corner, it wasn't very convenient, even if it was unusual, such as giving a quiz or giving a big joy. However, nowadays, with the progress of IoT technology, home appliances are becoming smarter, and the air conditioning and lights of homes are also managed by AI as a "smart home". ing. As the market for smart home appliances and smart homes expands, smart speakers themselves continue to be updated. Not only the industry leaders Amazon and Google, but also the unique models of audio makers have increased. So, this time, I would like to pick up some notable models of smart speakers in Japan as of the summer of 2021.
In addition, basically only the current lineup products will be taken up, and products equipped with AI assistant such as soundbars and all-in components, and "smart displays" with displays attached to smart speakers will be excluded. First, let's take a look at the products of Amazon, Google, and Apple that provide AI assistant services.■ Amazon , which provides the Amazon AI assistant "Amazon Alexa", has four models of "Echo Dot (3rd generation)", "Echo Dot (4th generation)", "Echo" and "Echo Studio" as the "Amazon Echo" series. Under deployment. So to speak, it is an "Alexa genuine product", and since it is often sold at a bargain price on Amazon, it is probably the "easiest-to-use smart speaker" overall. Echo Dot "Echo Dot (4th generation)" is the smallest model equipped with a 1.6-inch speaker. The price is reasonable at 5,980 yen, and the old generation "Echo Dot (3rd generation)" which is 1,000 yen cheaper than that, and the "Echo Dot (4th generation) with clock" with a display function such as a digital clock which is 1,000 yen higher are also available. It is also attractive to be able to choose the type according to the purpose, such as arranging them. The "Echo" is a model equipped with a 3-inch woofer x 1 and a 0.8-inch tweeter x 2. The price is 11,980 yen, which is about twice that of the Echo Dot, but it has a more authentic speaker configuration and has a built-in "smart home hub" that can be connected and set with Zigbee compatible smart devices, so it is smart. I would recommend this if you want to make full use of Alexa, including building a home. Echo "Echo Studio" is the top model of the 3rd generation released in 2019, equipped with 5.25 inch woofer × 1, 2 inch midrange × 3, 1 inch tweeter × 1, streaming service `` Amazon'' provided by Amazon It is a model that is particular about music playback, such as supporting playback of HD / 3D audio sound sources of "Music HD". Of course, it also has a built-in smart home hub. Click here for Echo Studio / Echo reviews.・Click here for an Echo Studio review. ■ Google Next, let's take a look at Google's products that provide "Google Assistant". Google has a lineup of two models, "Google Nest Mini" and "Google Nest Audio". Google Assistant also has many compatible devices, and it is a product that is as easy to reach as Amazon Echo. Google Nest Mini is a model equipped with a 40mm driver. With a compact size of 42 mm in height and 98 mm in diameter, the design that can be hung on the wall and the colorful development of 4 colors make it easy to install as an interior. Google Nest Mini Google Nest Audio is a sound-enhanced model equipped with a 19mm tweeter and a 75mm midwoofer. It is equipped with a "Media EQ function" that allows you to adjust the equalizer automatically according to what you are listening to, and if you prepare two, you can use it as a stereo speaker, and the audio functionality is also high. Click here for Google Nest Audio and Google Nest Audio reviews ■ Apple Offering "Siri" Apple has developed "HomePod mini". The second model of "HomePod" released in November last year is equipped with acoustic design such as high output full range driver, pair of passive radiators, acoustic waveguide that guides sound to the bottom. If you are a regular user of Apple products such as iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch, this product may be the easiest to use. HomePod mini By the way, the first model "HomePod" was announced to be discontinued in March this year as long as it is in stock. At the moment, it's sold at least in the Apple online store, but it's "finished as soon as it's out of stock," so if you're curious, you should buy it early.・Click here for HomePod mini review Next, I would like to introduce smart speakers produced by audio brands.
